Corn-snapping rolls and the like



Patented Nov. 19, 1929 p, f; i 1,736,347

ALONZO R. KEELER, OF ALTOA, ILLINOIS CORN-SNAPPING ROLLS AND LIKE Application filed March 5, 1928. Serial No. 259,229..

This invention has to do with an improved form and construction of corn snapping rolls and the like. That is to say it has to do with improvements inthe rolls which serve to remove the ears of corn from the stalks.

These rolls are incorporated into machines whose function is to gather `the ears from the stalks; but inasmuch as the snapping rolls herein illustrated and described may be used in connection with various forms of corn gathering machine I do not herein illustrate the details of construction nor the assembly features of such machine.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved construction of snapping rolls such that the corn stalks will readily and regularly enter between said rolls as the corn gathering machine advances through the field, so that the corn stalks will be almost unfailingly subjected to the action of the rolls. In this connection it is a further object to provide a construction of rolls such that when the corn stalks have been delivered between them actions of the rolls will surely and certainly remove the ears from the stalk and substantially without damage to the kernels and without shell* mg.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a built up construction of rolls of a type such that the same can be easily manufactured according to standard and well accepted manufacturing methods and processes.

Other objects and'uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts here-- inafter described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a face view of a pair of companion rolls embodying the features of the present invention, the end portions of one roll being shown in section so as to better illustrate the interior construction and the method of mounting on the shaft;

Fig. 2 shows a cross section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows but on enlarged scale; and

Fig. 3 shows a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows but on enlarged scale.

The two rolls of the pair are designated by the numerals 5 and 6. They are of the same construction with the exception of the fact that the end ribs of the two rollsspiral in opposite directions.

Each roll includes a substantially cylindrical body section the rear end portion of which is substantially straight and of larger size than the front portion 8 which is of somewhat smaller size and tapered towards its front end as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Both portions of each roll are substantially 'circular at different sections but the rear portion is ribbed as will be presently explained.

There is a slight shoulder 9 at the `point of` joinder of they cylindrical and tapered portions of each roll, and this shoulder is preferably relatively shallowl as for' example approximately l@ of anV inch.

vThe total length of the roll proper is conveniently madeapproximately Ll5 inches of which the front tapered portion occupies substantially 15 inches or one-third of the length, and the rear cylindrical portion .occupies substantially 8O inches or two thirds of the length. V p

The cylindrical portion is of substantially 3 inch diameter, and the front tapered portion 8 terminates at a blunt point substantially 2 inches in diameter. Thistapered portion on each roll is provided with a shallow spiral'rib 10 ektending'throughout of the tapered portion, and such rib is of a depth of approximately 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch.` The ribs of the two rolls spiral in opposite directions so that when the two rolls are rotated in opposite directions asshown by the arrows in R l the corn stalkswll be drawn downjbetween the two rolls. Furthermore, the spirals of the ribs 10 are such that with thisv rotation the corn stalks will be 'advanced along the taperedportions of the rolls and towards the rear cylindrical portions thereof, The rolls are preferably providedwith approximately 31/2 turns of spiral as shown in Fig. 1. p

The rear cylindrical portion of each roll is provided with two diametrically opposite Y relatively broad ribs y1l and la'n'd with two intermediate diametrically opposite relatively broad fluted ribs 13 and 14. Each roll is also provided intermediate between the posi.- tions of these ribs with companion low portions or valleys as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5 and the rolls are so timed in their rotations as to bring the rib of one roll into mesh or timing withithe companion valleyiof theaother roll. Furthermore the rolls are preferably so set with respect to each other that the ribs will enter slightly into the valleys; but the degree of such entry, if any, will depend upon the temporary setting of the rolls.

The ribs 13 and 14 `are ,preferably tinted throughout their entire lengths with a number of relatively shallow flutes. rI-his will materially improve the .grip Vvof the rolls on the stalks and insure proper feed o-fthestalks downwardsthrough the rolls.

The bodyzportion of each `roll ispreferablj; hollowed out as shown `at 15, leaving' only a relatively short hub sectionl at-rthe front end .and arelativelyshort hub section vit? at the rearend. The-shaft is extended throughout the length ofV each roll being provided with shoulder 19 in uits :front portion, which shoulder sets against the front end of the hollowed out vportion 15 of such roll. The relatively small, front end 20.of the -,shaft projects beyond the roll and is'received in an appropriate bearing.r

A rivet 2l may beused for eonnectingfeach roll to its shaft asshownsin `Fig. 1.

The rear portions of'the shaftsalsoproject beyond the respective .rolls and v.are recessed in appropriate bearings. Y l

While I have herein shownand described `only a single embodimentofzmy present :in-

Y may do so in the claims.

VI claim:

1. Means for snapping ears of corn and "the like from their stalks comprising in combination a pair of rolls which are relatively-,long as compared to th'eir.cliametersand means for journaling said rollsinrelzativelyclose proximity to each other, ,each :roll comprising a major 'snapping portionpfa substantially uniform size ltogether with a .minor feeding portion of size tapering `from its beginning end towards its position of ljuln-cture with the major portion aforesai-ch-the .rolls being adapted for rotationin oppositedireetions and invtimed relationship, anieven-series of longitudinally extending ribs throughout each major fportion. i aforesaid `together with intermediate valleys between sai-d ribs, alternate ribs being `longitudinally fluted vwith relatively `small Hflutes :throughout -;tlieir length, and a spiral ribon ythetax-pared,portion of each roll Vextending ,from itssmall front end toits langer point ofl-junetioniwi-th ing of uniform size and provided with longitudinallyextendingA ribs of even number together with intermediate longitudinally extending' valleys, alternate ribs being longitudinally flut'ed with relatively small flutes, the ribs of one Vroll working into the valleys ofthe lother roll :as the rolls `are rotated,

`means for driving the rollsin opposite Adirections and in proper timing to cause the ribs Aofreaeh :roll to work into they valleys ofthe Aother roll, and substantially the front one third of each roll being of tapered size and .provided wit-ha spiral rib, the spiral ribs of .the two Arolls being twisted in such .directions as .to Afeed the icornz-stalks towardsthe rear ,portions of thefrollsas the rollsarerotated, substantially as described.

ALONZO R. .KEELER 

